PCB: Public must drive Back Beach project

Thursday

Sep 14, 2017 at 8:36 PMSep 14, 2017 at 8:36 PM

“We are definitely not on the path we need to be on, in order to get the project running,” Councilman Hector Solis said. “It should become a priority for the Department of Transportation. If the public gets involved, that’s the thing that will get the project moving.”

TYRA JACKSON

PANAMA CITY BEACH — City officials on Thursday urged residents to attend an Oct. 10 public hearing on the possible six-laning of Back Beach Road (U.S. 98).

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will host the public hearing, which will give transportation officials an opportunity to discuss the project, answer questions and allow residents to provide input.

At the City Council’s regular meeting, Ward 4 Councilman Hector Solis said for the road project to move forward, the public must get involved.

“We are definitely not on the path we need to be on, in order to get the project running,” he said. “It should become a priority for the Department of Transportation. If the public gets involved, that’s the thing that will get the project moving.”

The project involves expanding a 7.5-mile portion of Back Beach Road from Mandy Lane to Thomas Drive by adding two lanes to the four-lane span of U.S. 98 to relieve congestion. The work also would include sidewalks and bicycle lanes. So far, however, the design year for the plan is projected only to be "before 2045."

The design portion has been funded, though right-of-way acquisition and construction have not yet. The next step in the process is to acquire right-of-way funds, FDOT’s Suzanne Lex said.

“We would love to accelerate the right-of-way acquisition, but we will follow every step. We have to follow the process,” she said. “To get the project moving, we are trying to find additional resources. We must account for the process.”

Lex said if the road became a strategic intermodal system, it would help provide funding to the project.

A project development and environmental study for U.S. 98 was conducted in 2015 and will conclude in 2018, said Ian Satter, FDOT public information officer.

“Construction of the project is undetermined as it is not in the department’s five-year work program,” Satter said. “The five-year work program is updated every year and is largely based on the priorities of the local transportation planning organizations (TPOs).”

Solis is one of two Beach council members who also serve on the TPO board. He said he is working to make the project a priority.

“The TPO is made up of all of Bay County,” Solis said. “Everything that goes in front of the TPO has to be voted on. We are doing all we can do with two votes. It’s important the public gets involved in the meeting on Oct. 10. We were listed as No. 22, and we just moved to No. 2. It shows people are talking about it.”

The public hearing will be 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Lyndell Senior Center, 423 Lyndell Lane.

Water and sewer rate hikes

The council also approved an ordinance to increase residents’ water rates by 1 percent and sewer rates by 2 percent. The Beach’s rates are among the lowest in Bay County, according to the council meeting agenda.

Ward 2 Councilman Phil Chester, who supported the ordinance, said the increases will help officials make improvements throughout the city.

“The ordinance helps prevent flooding from stormwater, and it can help improve old stormwater facilities. It’s to keep up with the growth of our city,” he said.

“If our city can build a $4 million City Hall, why do we need to raise water rates?” she said, adding residents should not be penalized for water rates that might be higher because of tourists.

“We are a small city, and during our boom times like Spring Break, it’s not the residents using the water. It’s the visitors,” she said. “Pass the increase to the places where tourists are using the water.”